Who would have imagined that the joyful Qaya could become a tortured woman who now stood facing death in her wedding dress, as the queen of Easteford
Some days ago
...
Zachary held her hand "Once, you asked me who I'd choose between you and the king. When I heard it, I thought it was a ridiculous answer because until you I believed that I had no choice but to fulfill my duty to the king, infact my whole life, all I did was choose the most probable options, I could never comprehend the concept of choice like other people but you make me want to keep choosing you over and over again even when it's not probable. I never chose the king but I'll always choose you"
Qaya stared blankly at Zachary for a long time. His answer really shook her. She was happy that he chose her over Awin but she suddenly also started feeling self conscious and noticing so many things; like how there were stray strands of hair that stood out on his head, that she was standing awkwardly until now and other unnecessary things.
She wondered what sort of expression she had on her face as Zachary said these words. Basically, things became awkward fast and she suddenly wished something would happen to ease the tension.
"how was the sight seeing?" Jaslin called as her and Rivan approached the other two.
"it was fine, I wish I could see more" Qaya said happy to be interrupted. She inspected the items they bought "how was the shopping? Hope it wasn't too stressful"
Jaslin turned to Rivan for an answer and they both struggled to make coherent words as Zachary and Qaya watched in confusion.
Jaslin and Rivan had been quiet and awkward the whole walk back because they didn't know how to seamlessly return to their carefree dispositions after that emotional scene they partook in.
Qaya saw this as a cue to end the outing "seeing as we're done with what we came for, we should return home. Right, Jaslin"
"of course" the other rushed to her cousin's side
"let us help with the luggage" Rivan offered
"okay, our carriage is just round the corner"
The group walk towards the girls' carriage. Zachary suddenly turned to Qaya "you aren't staying in the palace?"
"I can't. And it's not like I'm obligated to do so, I've already spent enough time as a newly engaged lady. It's been quite something since our engagement. Please tell him, I'll be staying with my parents for abunumas"
Zachary nodded. It was good that she stayed away from Awin and the servants from the palace, for her own good.
The girls finally got into the carriage and waved the boys goodbye.
***
As they got closer to their destination, Qaya felt quesy, after all, she was almost killed in this place.
She turned to Rivan "why did we have to come this far? You know how I feel about this place"
"I understand but rest assured we're still quite far from the Canary's nest"
"relatively" Qaya chimed in.
Rivan looked around, among the shrubs. He inspected the various plants that were in that part of the forest.
"I've seen it" he called out and Qaya ran to his side. He pointed to a prickly plant with tiny, dainty blue flowers.
"this is your antidote, Thispel" Rivan proclaimed
"are you sure?" Qaya looked at the plant nervously. It looked scary and beautiful at the same time.
"if Awin has truly been feeding you traces of the oculus plant, this is the easy solution. Thispel is fundamentally the enemy of the oculus with their contradicting properties. There's a reason why it's planted here, it's to keep the canary away because it dispels it"
"I feel like I should be able to make the connection as to why that is possible, but I can't" Qaya scratched her head
"the canary eats pure oculus, it can't stand the presence of Thispel because Thispel is basically the antivirus to the virus that is Oculus"
"wait but if I've been eating the oculus plant, won't eating thispel harm me"
"I understand the sentiment but the oculus plant has varying effects on humans, so also the Thispel plant. Oculus is the typical food of the Canary but to humans it is poison, a poison of the mind that wipes the memory" Rivan exposited
"oh I see, so if oculus is poison to me, then Thispel will be medicine"
"exactly"
"but how will I take it?"
It was at this point that Rivan was stumped "I'm not sure myself. After all, it's not everyday someone is fed the oculus plant even Zarela that informed you didn't take any medicine, all she did was stop taking the food that was poisoned with oculus and naturally waited for her memory to return"
"and I can't afford that, I need my memory in the soonest" Qaya panicked
"wait I have an idea"
"really"
"yes, but it is risky and you might have to wait a bit"
"how long will I wait?"
"by the looks of it" he stared at the flowers of the plant "two weeks"
"two weeks? Why?"
"That's an estimate of what time this plant will start producing fruits. After all we can't uproot it, it's needed to protect the people in Cralville.
"I understand, let's leave at the soonest, if we quickly go to the neighbouring town, we'll be able to get back to the capital quickly" Rivan started packing up their things
"and don't worry about how the fruit will get to you, I have that sorted out"
Qaya nodded.
***
Bernard stood quietly as he watched the king meticulously tend to his work, Awin had been more busy than usual but he would be rounding off the work by the evening of today.
Awin put down his pen and looked up at Bernard "anything to report?"
"One of your merchandise, Marcel was visited by Lady Heris's people"
"oh really?" Awin looked amused and scribbled
"that's not all, Zarela went to visit Lady Heris and the maids said they spent quite the long time"
Awin abruptly stopped scribbling and looked at his assistant "it seems Qaya is becoming a bit ambitious, so let's fulfill her dreams"
***
In the Heris-Mariale mansion
Marie knocked on the door.
"come in" Dylan called from inside. She entered and was met with an indifferent glance from Dylan Mariale and that annoyed her. She stared at him, inspecting his visage. He didn't look sick but he was more stoic than usual.
"how long are you going to keep this up?"
"excuse me" Dylan raised his head to look at her
"I understand that I was mean to you that night but why does Qaya have to bear the brunt of my actions. That's really unfair, seeing as she's also your daughter. That girl has suffered enough, so please be kind"
Dylan opened his mouth to speak but stopped midway.
Marie took this as her cue to speak "I just want to say that I'm sorry. You were also going through a lot that time and the things you did to me don't mean you don't have a right to miss your daughter or feel pain on her behalf"
"no, Marie, it's me who should be apologizing. Everything you said that night was true and warranted, that's why I felt bad. I was a coward who chose my family over you and even when you were in a condition, I had placed you in. I just thought that if I worked behind the...what am I even saying? All I know is that, it's become clear that I was and still am a coward that doesn't deserve this family"
"I don't know if that's true, Dylan but I know that Qaya deserves to have a loving family, father included"
"Marie, you know I'm a selfish man, so I don't need to explain to you why I'll be choosing myself overy daughter"
"what?!" The shock that hit Marie was too much to understand
"the reason why I'm acting this way is because of...guilt. I had been trying to get Qaya to Occident coast to protect from Awin's evil scheme..."
"what? Dylan you were going to separate me from my daughter?"
"I'm sorry, I was desperate and I thought that you wouldn't mind that, compared to having her married to that monster. But when you said all those things last night, I started feeling conflicted. And now, I don't know how to feel, maybe even coming here was a mistake"
"excuse me?"
"Marie I don't think I can even stay here. You want me to patch things up with Qaya but the problem is me... I'll stay in the guesthouse for nowthey, any decision I make I will let you know"
Marie walked out of his office, downcast and defeated
"this is not why I came here"